Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-04-30
BASE INGRATITUDE.
by LILY CURRY.

The first two weeks of September are
l.doubtedly the finest of all summer for
ocean bathing. The water has at length
lccome bearably warm, and the waves,
though running high, run regularly and
with certain cvcnncss that ii fair swim
lner can comprehend and count upon. At
the resorts along the New jersey coast,
Tor instance, this is a season of absolute
water reYelry. The beach is peoplcd with
thousands of figures, happy and pictur-
csqEc-or grotesquc, as the case may be.
Child, youth, adult, all are here. The
strong swimmer calmly clcaving his way
out through the breakers; the timid nov
ice shrinking at each new burst Of salty
suds, and the would-be brave one, pranc-
ing detiantly knee-deep in the mighty
brine, yet clinging at the same time with
desperate grip to the lifeline.
1t was not long since, at one of these
resorts, heavenly morning-the sky q
sheer dazzle of sun and palest azure; the
sea booming grandly on the white sand,
and all the merry thousands Fastening
down to meet it.
Two men and a woman left the fourth
OF their party, an elderly lady, who was
not in bathing costume, as were they,
safely ensconccd with camp-stool and
umbrella, where the sand was quite dry,
and tripped lightly down to the first thin
edge of the water. To be strictly accurate,
q but two OF them trippcd lightly; the
woman, who was Young and, in her own
way, beautiful, and the smaller and less
thoughtful appearing of the men. The
third of the party followed with gravity
of countenancc that was almost .bsurd in
conjunction with his costume. Having
entered the water, they naturally sepa-
rated. The young man was of the slender,
willowy, graceful type; blonde with
golden tints of hair and beard. Moreover
every word and gesture seemed expressive
OF intense scif-satisfaction and sells graf
itication, possibly relative to some late
personal triumph.
"Comc!" he cried, reaching out Joy
ously to the girl. But she drew back;
she could not swim. ''No?" he said care
lessly, and plunged off leaving her there
near the other man. This other was also
fair of complexion, but his close shaver
hair had the look of brown velvet and his
large violet eyes were fringed with lashes
almost black
He had stopped to put some water on
his head, and looking up he saw that the
young lady stood alone, her gaze resting
quietly upon him.
"Shall l take you out little further?"
he asked.
She shook her head, with frctful curve
of the lip.
''You look too sober" she said. "You
might want to drown me-"
He took no notice of the closing petu-
lance.
''You think should not look sober,
them"
"I'm sure think nothing whatever,
Mr.. Denton. You have relieved me of the
necessity"
He took step nearer to her. His face
flushed. There, in the edge of the
ocean, was an absurd place to show feel
ing. But he seemed to forget their sur
roundings, and to see only her dark I'M
common beauty, her flashing, conquering
eyes.
"Elma," he said, quietly, II have done
nothing to merit your enmity; have been
sincere"
80, yes; but too much sincerity bores
one at times"
The young man started, his lips moved,
then he seemed to recall some resolution,
and no sound issued from his tightly-set
jaws.
The girl continued to speak, however,
"Why are we standing here2 At least
you might take me over to the line. /
certainly shall have lessons when we 90
back to town. 1t is absurd for one to feel
so dependent. And these good swimmers
are always so selfish"
He put out his hand.
"Come this way" he said, simply.
They made as pretty picture as any
of the thousands of couples who had
gone down orwere going down together.
Some of the lookers-o upon the beach
singled them out and discussed them:
1.-THE young lady in white and scarlet2
With the italian face2 The tall young
escort in blue and yellow2 Miss Warmer
-Elma Warmer. Quite rich. Hush |!
The mother is there with the red
umbrella. The young man is Ned Den
ton; sort of third cousin; used to be
engaged to her, but l hear it is off now:
she is to marry some one else"
Meanwhile the young couple were out
waist-deep. Miss Warmer had grown
more gracious.
''Go and swim, Ned" she commanded
with little laugh. ''We won't quarrel
any more"
"Quarrel2" he repeated. "You think
would quarrel with you7 If, as you
have told me, it has all been mistake
our caring for each other-and you really
love Fielding, do you think would't be
man enough to desire your welfare first
Of all2 Do you think would let any
memory of one year ago-of last summer
however precious, stand between you
and your happines2"
ave never live over again our last
summers" she replied with some con-
straint.
"You are right" he echoed, in lower
tone-almost too low to be audible above
the water clamor, 1--WE never live them
over There is only one thing
! would like to say to you, Elma. You
won't be angry. It is this: Be sure you
know your own mind"
"You--you think do not pow?" she
II Il.